Activity 1/14/2022 (Learning Outcome 5)

 Each year my school has a 2 week course intensive as we come back from winter break called J-term. This year for J-term I participated in a backpacking trip in Big Bend Ranch State Park in West Texas. While there were several parts to this trip, my favorite was the 3 day backpacking adventure we went on in the park. We took the Rancherias loop trail which ended up being about 22 miles in 3 days. While it was super fun and rewarding, nothing about it was easy. We were carrying heavy packs, there were steep uphills and we had to carry lots of water with us. At the end of each day we would arrive at our campsite exhausted but also proud of what we had accomplished. During this hike there were times when I thought I wasn't going to be able to take another step. But then I did. And I kept going and I ended up sticking with the front of the group. While I felt super duper tired by the end, I was so proud of what I had accomplished because it was way more challenging than I had expected, but I had still completed it without complaining and while keeping up with the rest of the group. After having this experence I know I definitelt want to take part in many more backpacking adventures like this one. 

This backpacking endeavor was a part of learning outcome 5. While there were many things I learned, one of the most important ones was accepting and relying on the group when necessary. At first when I was hiking my pack was too heavy, and while it was embarrassing to have to give up some weight, my friends on the trip were supportive and it ended up being better for everyone to make this tradeoff. There were so many times when working with the groups was efficient and beneficial like when we were setting up tents, cooking food and helping eachother up steep hills. Understanding and utilizing this helped me realize how collaborating with others is almost always in people's best interest, and even though it may seem like it in the moment, long term it will be beneficial.